Stars Fight Drought Gloom

[Kev]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...43-661,00.html

MUSIC greats and sports stars will give a huge free concert to raise the spirits of farmers battling one of the nation's worst droughts.
Country music legend Lee Kernaghan and Premier Steve Bracks planned the outdoor spectacular after visiting drought-hit western Victoria.

Kernaghan has promised to use all his influence to attract top music acts to the concert, which will be held at Horsham in December

"We will try to get as many people as we can from country, rock and pop. It's going to be one hell of a show," Kernaghan said.

Mr Bracks was in Bendigo yesterday promising to find $30 million in savings which would be used to provide drought relief.

Aussie music stars Kasey Chambers and Living End will be approached to join Kernaghan at the concert.

Others to be asked include farmer-turned-singer Shannon Noll, regional hitmakers Killing Heidi and Human Nature, who had the biggest-selling album in Australia last year.

Popular Australian Idol acts, including Guy Sebastian and the Young Divas, have also indicated they support the event, as have Collingwood Football Club and several Commonwealth Games gold medallists.

The winner of the current series of Idol will also be asked to sing.

Kernaghan, who has just toured regional Victoria, said he had been deeply moved by the farmers' plight.

"When I was up Horsham way I saw how dry it was and a picture that will stay in my mind forever was a desolated farm with a white flag flapping in the breeze," he said.

"I contacted the Premier's office just to let them know that if there was anything I could do at all, I was ready and willing to help."

Horsham Mayor Roslyn MacInnes said it was exciting news for the parched region.

"We welcome the support and the opportunity for our wider community to get together and take a break and enjoy some great music," she said.

Mr Bracks responded to Kernaghan's offer by calling him at home and asking if he would do a concert.

"It's quite humbling to get a call from the Premier at home," Kernaghan said.

"The reason for me to do this is to let the farmers know they have not been forgotten and they are in the hearts and minds of all of us."

A number of other concerts are expected to be held at country pubs across Victoria at the same time as the big concert, provisionally called Spirit of the Bush.

Mr Bracks said the drought was affecting communities at all levels.

"They need to know that the rest of the state is thinking of them and supporting them," he said.

[Colezy]

Sounds good! I wonder if TLE will be able to do it? It'll all depend on when the concert is held, I guess. But if it's anytime soon, I don't think they will be able to do it.

*edit - just realised its going to be in December.

[hillaas]

Thats the Aussie way!

It's really good that people can get together to organise something like that in times of need (ie. the drought), even if it is just to give the farmers a night of enjoyment.

[Colezy]

Yeah, it'll give them something different to think about for a night!

[luke_the edge_dragons]

great idea and i hope tle play but theyre a bit different from all the other acts...Kasey Chambers??? australian idols????

[Colezy]

They've done a song with Kasey before. As for the Aus Idols..well yeah. What a joke. Killing Heidi and Human Nature aren't bad though.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Colezy

Human Nature aren't bad though.

Wash your mouth out with soap!!

[Colezy]

Haha. Well at least they can actually sing well, unlike alot of other mainstream artists and bands!

[hillaas]

I think it would be good to see the variety. Because the demographic that they are marketing too will all have different tastes and likes in music.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Colezy

Haha. Well at least they can actually sing well, unlike alot of other mainstream artists and bands!

haha, that's true! i just can't stand the short guy - he freaks me out!

This is a great gig though!